Cream Cheese , I use the real thing, does the flavouring make it even better or do you never use it? Don't like it. Used it in my meringues a few times with red velvet...but it is just not the same as the real deal

Princess cake flavouring when and what would you use this? Yes yes yes!! I use it almost exclusively in my meringue buttercreams. My most often ordered cakes are Dreamsicle and White almond and it is the perfect pairing with both. I recently found it on Amazon for $5 a bottle, so I ordered 4.

AI've got a recipe that calls for cream cheese flavoring but it's a shelf stable substitute for the real thing, I haven't tried it because I've always been able to refrigerate.

Spices Etc. is a nice place for ordering flavoring. I know the princess flavor is really popular but I haven't tried that either. I've added Creme Boquet to a wedding cake with vanilla that was yummy.

King Arthur Flour is another great place to order things from. Honestly, I find myself experimenting more with different types of cocoa and espresso powders, cinnamon. Also liquors. I use flavorings too but like you said people order chocolate, vanilla, blah, blah

The one I am going to try is from Mr Brown do you know it ? any good?
Lorann are the ones Ive been looking at.

Thanks all once again!!!

Yes you are right with the acronyms. Warren Brown's IMBC is pretty good. If you like meringue buttercreams, you will like his.
RE:LorAnn flavorings. Be careful. The good ones are great, the not so good ones are horrible. Princess Cake & Cookie flavoring gets raves because it is good, Sweet Buttery Dough gets raves too, haven't tried that one though. I like their lemon emulsion but lemon is one of those that's easy to replicate with natural ingredients. I did not like their Rum or Butter Vanilla.

Whenever possible, I advocate the pure or natural flavorings unless in cases where sourcing a natural version would be difficult-- Like banana for BCs (in cakes the banana flavor can be easily gotten using real bananas but they may not be a feasible option as BC flavoring) OR when using the natural version would be unacceptable (using real vanilla extract when you want white-white fondant). So for citrus flavors, the zest with a little bit of pure extract would work. Some flavors like Strawberry taste a world apart when comparing the artificial versions to the natural. I've gotten a number of natural extracts from Olive Nation.

If there's one place to splurge it would be with your spices: The Vanillas, Cinnamons etc.

As I continue to grow as a baker, I find myself reaching for my higher quality spices and playing with those (I've made my own vanilla extract for quite a while now). For instance, you'd be amazed what you can do with pairing any of the real vanillas. My second best selling flavor pairs Madagascar and Tahitian vanillas and folks just love that a vanilla flavored confection can be so alive with flavor.

AMake your own. Buy vodka. Buy good beans from Vanilla Products USA. Split beans, scrape, chop, add all to vodka until you're out of room.Shake bottle once a week or when you remember to. 4 months later....best vanilla you could ever have. And the cheapest.

I have been making my own vanilla extract for 3 years now and I love it!!! It smells devine and taste so much better than store bought. My friends prefer it to Penzey's and some other well known brands. I am not knocking Penzeys, because I love their spices.

I was told you don't need a high grade/dollar vodka. I use something (not brand specific) like $12-$15 a bottle. I actually prefer ones with a good lid because of opening and closing it so much. I just use that for my vanilla extract bottle.

I have a friend who just starting making it. She is using Belvedere. I was doing some research and the article said to use the cheapest you could find because the flavors of the expensive kind could drown out the vanilla flavor.